Xtera’s Nu-Wave Optima platform is a unique modular optical transport system that was recently introduced to lower the cost of delivering rich media content over existing or new networks. Nu-Wave Optima uses a common, integrated set of modules for long-haul, regional, and metro applications.

The Nu-Wave Optima platform leverages a toolkit of technologies that can be combined or interchanged to address the unique characteristics of different segments of a network. The toolkit consists of all-Raman, hybrid EDFA/Raman amplifiers, 10G and 40G interfaces using a variety of modulation formats, next generation ROADMs, and line monitoring technologies. By selecting and combining the appropriate technologies and modules, Nu-Wave Optima can be used to customize a solution to more efficiently match the carrier’s priority of lowest start-up cost, flexibility, reach or capacity. Combining 100G optics with Xtera’s patented Raman technology can deliver an industry leading 15 Terabits per second on a single fiber. By using these technologies on a common platform, operators realize immediate operational efficiencies including the reduction of spares and equipment training.

The performance benefit of combining Raman and 100G technologies was recently demonstrated by successfully transporting 8 x 100 Gb/s over an extended unrepeatered span of 440km with a loss in excess of 76dB, in effect doubling the capacity that could be achieved using 10G. In addition, the interleaving of 10G signals with 100G signals on a 50GHz grid was also demonstrated, showing the feasibility of seamless upgrade to 100G on existing systems.

The 100G line cards for all applications of the Nu-Wave Optima platform will be available to the general market in June 2011.